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Author Topic: the Illustrator's replacement for Symbiostock: grfx. Testors wanted.  (Read 5144 times)

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Leo

« on: April 07, 2015, 16:05 »
+8
At present I need 3 testers who may wish to get involved. Please email me leo [at] grfx.co

If you wish to test, this is al that is required:

  • You must be an illustrator with stock illustrations.
  • You must be moderately familiar with running a wordpress site.
Here is what you can expect:

  • It runs on Wordpress.
  • This installs as an extension of woocommerce, satisfying diverse payment gateway and tax needs. It inherits all functionality of woocommerce.
  • It is a plugin, not a theme. Therefore it can be used with any theme of your choice -- preferably those compatible and designed with woocommerce in mind. Themeforest.net has some wonderful ones.
  • Its very, very light-weight.
There is more to be said, but this is just an invite for testors, not a full-on ad.

Thank you in advance.  leo [at] grfx.co

NOTE: This is branched, distinct, and separate from Symbiostock. I've recently left Symbiostock in favor of specializing in serving illustrators. grfx is its own project, its own company. Once testing is complete, I will be creating a plugin to allow graphic artists and illustrators to easily convert over from Symbiostock to this simplified and more flexible system.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2015, 22:51 by Leo »


Leo

« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2015, 16:24 »
+1
Note: this is not a forum-based test such as before. This will be done over email only.

« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2015, 09:58 »
+1
Sounds interesting. I'm not sure if I can run any testing right now (too much stuff going on), but I'm definitely curious to see how it goes.

Leo

« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2015, 11:57 »
0
Understood! Aren't you the guy with 10,000,000 images? Definitely a busy guy!

This version ROCKS. Honestly I don't even think it needs testing. I want to just throw it to the masses and see what might randomly happen, but saner minds prevail (progress, no?)

Regardless, I'll give it some time, like the 5 day waiting period for a gun (maybe).

« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2015, 12:21 »
0
hey leo,

how much time do you need from testers?

I have got a testing domain and can easily install it there.. the only issue is I am a little too busy right now..

Leo

« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2015, 17:24 »
+1
hey leo,

how much time do you need from testers?


Not much. Symbiostock (my initial project, which I've since left) was created within two months under the getty/google panic. This is a year's compilation with the greatest progress in the last month or so. For testers -  a quick install and upload - to see if it works, and then to report back with your experience.

One tester has already come back with a few items, so after I get that updated I'll send you the next update. Ideally it should be an easy plug-and-play.

Since you are busy I'll wait till you have an open slot and I've already done a few testing rounds. So far though its quite exceptional.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2015, 22:52 by Leo »

« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2015, 17:33 »
+2
Guys, I just played with this for a bit. Leo has something pretty cool here. If you are an illustrator looking for another option you might want to send him a note. Its still early but it is certainly worth finding out about.

Leo

« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2015, 17:42 »
0
Judging by how tests are going I do not see this being far off from release. Then its only a matter of creating the Symbio->grfx converter. Thanks for testing guys.

« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2015, 02:23 »
+1
How does it handle European VAT requirements? This would be important to know before even looking at it.

Leo

« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2015, 02:37 »
0
How does it handle European VAT requirements? This would be important to know before even looking at it.

Funny you should mention it - this was my main reason for rebuilding. I had so many vat-tax support requests (and its a complex subject support) -- this was my main motivator for doing this.

I built this on top of woocommerce, and woocommerce has plugins for that very thing.

Globally there are so many diverse needs, I decided to go this route and simply build an engine for stock images.




« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2015, 10:09 »
+1
Testing it right now and I think the final product is going to be pretty good..

- one thing many of you are going to love is that this works with any theme :) you can have your site look exactly the way you like..

- licenses are a lot less complicated as well..

- there are shipping settings as well as a dedicated tab for taxes..

- download expiration is there too (you can set a time limit or a max number a file can be downloaded)
 
« Last Edit: April 10, 2015, 10:14 by cidepix »

« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2015, 10:49 »
+1
Yes, the plugin along with woo-commerce also works for physical items like tees, posters etc. And other digital items like zip files and fonts. Lots to like here.

As another option to this plugin, he is also building a plug and play system for those of you who don't want to spend a bunch of time building a site. Maybe he can come in here and clarify but I believe it includes hosting and a central search engine for a small monthly fee. These would still be individual sites which you can control but are all tied together for more of an agency feel. I tested it last night and I was uploading images in about 15 minutes. He is still working on the aesthetic of these hosted sites but I will keep you in the loop as I progress with mine.

I'm planning on doing both options because although I have success with my own sites I really like the idea of pooling resources with other illustrators to create a one stop shop for customers while still maintaining a very high percentage of the sale.

Leo

« Reply #12 on: April 10, 2015, 15:52 »
0
Thanks for jumping in guys.

The dedicated hosting solution is for people who can't launch a site easily. It functions like the "hub sites" that we spoke of back in the day. Everyone's site is independent and autonomous with their own search system, yet all the sites are joined by a central search engine.

When I launch it, there will be some detailed articles explaining each main element of grfx.

At present the main elements are:

  • The free open source engine (which we are presently testing).
  • The main hub site (presently testing).
  • The central search engine (presently testing).
  • The community support and fun site (easy! :) ).
In essence, this is the "hub site" system spoken of in those early days, now brought to light. And so far its working wonderfully. I don't think we are far of from launching them all.

EDIT: Its worth noting, especially, that this has been built with much care, and has hubsite support right out of the box. Yet one thing you cannot avoid - running a multisite network can be complex on the wordpress level iftself - but its perfectly supported by grfx. Ideally a person can launch a site in 5 minutes flat. (The host-your-own solution is equally capable, being the same thing, but of course its more complex building your own site)
« Last Edit: April 10, 2015, 15:59 by Leo »

farbled

« Reply #13 on: April 10, 2015, 16:43 »
+1
Slightly off topic, but will it be easy to switch from an old Sym site to the new plugin? I'd hate to have to upload my images all over again... I hope I'm not jumping the gun.

Leo

« Reply #14 on: April 10, 2015, 17:34 »
0
Hi farbled!

I'm building a converter shortly after we've established some mileage with the new system. The system is intended for illustrators, keep in mind, and I cannot support photographers on the hub site. Robin of Symbiostock is taking care of photographers in general. He has a fairly interesting vision for them with your unique licensing and exposure needs in mind, so its worth giving him some time. He's taken on quite a project and I believe he has great potential.

With that said, this processes graphics with jpegs as the base element, so you are welcome to use it freely as you wish. Sadly though, I cannot support photographers directly, as Robin has gallantly taken over this area.

farbled

« Reply #15 on: April 10, 2015, 18:47 »
0
Hi farbled!

I'm building a converter shortly after we've established some mileage with the new system. The system is intended for illustrators, keep in mind, and I cannot support photographers on the hub site. Robin of Symbiostock is taking care of photographers in general. He has a fairly interesting vision for them with your unique licensing and exposure needs in mind, so its worth giving him some time. He's taken on quite a project and I believe he has great potential.

With that said, this processes graphics with jpegs as the base element, so you are welcome to use it freely as you wish. Sadly though, I cannot support photographers directly, as Robin has gallantly taken over this area.

Thanks Leo, good to know. I'm happy with my current site as-is, but if there is a future plugin to make things easier and allow more theme options, then I will wait with bated breath. :)

Leo

« Reply #16 on: April 10, 2015, 18:50 »
0

Thanks Leo, good to know. I'm happy with my current site as-is, but if there is a future plugin to make things easier and allow more theme options, then I will wait with bated breath. :)

I hear a lot of people say "holding my breath" and I can't say I blame them. The previous project was a rocky road. Technically this thing is finished - we are just polishing it up.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2015, 22:53 by Leo »


Leo

« Reply #17 on: April 11, 2015, 22:53 »
0
Whups - quoted instead of edit.  My bad.  :-X


 

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